Kulaks were relatively affluent farmers in Russia during the early 20th century, particularly before the Russian Revolution of 1917. They owned larger farms and employed laborers, distinguishing them from poorer peasants. The term "kulak" originally referred to wealthier peasants but later became associated with class struggle during the Soviet era. During the Stalin regime, kulaks were targeted as part of a campaign to collectivize agriculture. Many were labeled as class enemies, leading to their persecution, deportation, or execution. This campaign aimed to eliminate private land ownership and consolidate farms into collective units, significantly impacting rural communities and the agricultural landscape of the Soviet Union.